Adjustable actuating means for garment pressing machines



ADJUSTABLE ACTUATING MEANS FOR GARMENT PRESSING MACHINES Filed July 51,1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Herbert G. Beed'e 13, 1948. QBEEDE r 2,434,482

13, 1948. BEEDE 2,434,482

ADJUSTABLE ACTUATING MEANS FOR GARMENT PRESSING MACHINES Filed July 31, 1941 6 Shets-Sheet s tzolineq- Jan. 13, 1%48. Q BEEDE 2,434;482

ADJUSTABLE ACTUATING MEANS FOR GARMENT PRESSING MACHINES Filed July 31, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 In 2/612 tor Herbert G Beede 1 Jan. 13, 1948. BEEDE 2,434,482

ADJUSTABLE ACTUATING MEANS FOR GARMENT PRESSING MACHINES Filed July 31, 1941 e Sheets- Sheet 5 ago 1 am 226 2-10 214 29 20a I I9 I3- I l58 I Inventor Herbert G. Beede Jan. 13, 1948. BEEDE 2,434,482

ADJUSTABLE ACTUATING MEANS FOR GARMENT PRESSING MACHINES Filed July 51, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I Inventor Herbert GBeeoe Patented Jan. 13, 1948 ADJUSTABLE ACTUATING MEANS FOR GARMENT PRESSING MACHINES Herbert G. Beetle, Pawtucket, R. I., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Pantex Manufacturing Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application July 31, 1941, Serial No. 404,870

6 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in adjustable actuating means for garment pressing machines and specifically includes improvements in the structure of the pressing member disengaging spring means itself. and improvements in the adjusting means for shifting the point of connection of the actuating means to close the press to adjust the final pressing space between said pressing members, whereby the disengaging spring means may also function to take up any backlash in said adjusting means.

A further feature of my invention relates to specific improvements in the structure of the adjusting means itself providing a simpler, more positive and more evenly balanced adjusting means than hitherto provided.

A further object of my invention is to provide improvements in the specific structure of the disengaging spring and its associated parts, whereby it may be more readily attached to said adjusting means to function to take up the backlash therein, and may function in a more positive manner to disengage the pressing members.

A further object of my invention is to employ a compression spring as the actuating force of the disengaging mechanism, it being obvious that a compression spring will positively not break in use in a manner to let down the pressing head, thereby insuring the safety of my improved garment pressing machine for the operators.

A further feature of my invention is to provide a disengaging mechanism in which the tension thereof may be readily adjusted without friction against any portion of the powerful disengaging spring thereby permitting the ready manual adjustment of the tension thereof in use, which feature may be applied to any type of a spring.

Further features of my invention relate to improvements in the specific structure for mounting the disengaging spring mechanism on the side of the frame so that the rod element thereof may have a reciprocating movement as Well as an oscillating movement in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the pressing lever.

A further object of my invention therefore, is to provide an adjustable disengaging spring mechanism, wherein the spring portion thereof not only functions to take up any backlash in the adjusting means, but also functions to retain the tension adjusting means of the spring itself in adjusted position thereon.

A further object of my invention is to provide improvements in the structure of the adjusting means itself, whereby the handle extending axl ally of the pressing lever power arm for ease of adjustment from the front of the machine may be tilted laterally, if desired, for the addition of other mechanisms to the pressing lever.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments thereof.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a garment pressing machine constructed in accordance with my invention in open position with one side wall removed and with the means for covering the adjusting means and points of connection of the actuating means and the disengaging spring means thereto broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the garment pressing machine shown in Fig. 1 and is similar thereto with the exception that the means for mounting the handle for the adjusting means on the work arm of the pressing lever is additionally shown in section and with parts thereof removed, in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the parts of the garment pressing machine shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the pressing lever and connecting parts with the front portion of the pressing head removed.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 4 with the handle for the adjusting means tilted laterally and latched.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line S-6 of Fig. 4 with the adjusting means adjusted to leave a space between the pressing members in final adjusting position.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 6 with the means for latching the adjusting handle to the work arm of the pressing lever shown in elevation and with the adjusting meansmoved to a position bringing the pressing head close to the pressing buck in final pressing position.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 7 with the floating lever of the adjusting-means inverted to provide a less counterbalancing effect for the attachment of a lighter pressing head to the pressing lever, but still employing the same spring. 1

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional View through the rod for joining the pivot points of the floating levers together.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic end elevation showing how the floating lever may be attached to the upper end of the disengaging spring rod in the reversed position shown in Fig. 8. 1

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken 3 through the disengaging spring mechanism along the line Il-ll of Fig. 3 and illustrating how it is mounted on the pressing machine frame and connected to the actuating mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to the side wall of the frame illustrating how the reciprocating rod of the disengaging spring mechanism is mounted on the side wall of the frame.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the shaft I employ for mounting said reciprocating rod on the side wall of the frame. I v v Fig. 14 is a reverse plan view of the latching ring I preferably employ.

Fig. 15 is a disassembled perspective view-illustrating the latching washer I preferably employ about to be secured to the turning nut to rotate therewith.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, 3!] generally indicates a pressing machine constructed in accordance withmy invention.

Said pressing machine is provided with the usual frame 32 having t'hesi'de walls 34, the table 36 and the usual stationary pressing buck 38 projec'ting upwardly from said frame above said table, said pressing buck functioning as apressing member. In this type of machine there is also provided a movable pressing member'flfl movable relative thereto 'and actuating means 4| are usually provided operatively connected to said movable member 40 for moving said'member 41] into pressing juxtaposition with said other member :38. In the embodiment shown, disengaging spring mechanism '42 is 'operatively connected to said movable member 40 .for normally moving said member '40 from pressing juxtaposition with said other member :38. If desired, adjustable means 44 having a portionithereof abutting said spring disengaging mechanism 42 may be employed for varying the tension exerted by said spring disengag'ing mechanism 42 and in addition-adjusting means 46 are preferably provided for shifting the point of connection 48 of .theactuating'means 4| to said movable'pressin'g member to adjustthe final 'pressingispace between said pressing members, the adjustment of said adjusting means be ing at all times made against .the pressureof the spring means in the disengaging spring mechanism 42-, whereby said spring means may also function to take up any backlash in said adjustiri'g means "46 and retain said spring adjusting means 44 in adjusted positionthereon. The spe- 'cific type of adjusting means 46 and spring disengaging mechanism 42 shown is specifically adapted for 'use on agarment pressing machine employing a stationary buck 38 projecting upwardly from the front of the frame 32 thereof and having a pressing lever :50 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the longitudinal pivot pin 52 extending longitudinally between the side walls :34 of said frame having the pressing head 40 mounted ion 'the-fr'onttend thereof. It is thus obvious that pivot'ingof :said pressing .lever 50 which 'pivo'ts o'r oscillates in=a transverse plane extending 'fo-reandraft of said pressing machine, brings said pressing head 40 into and away .from pressing juxtaposition with said buck 38. .Any suitable ty pe'of actuating meariss'l maybe provided suitably connected to said pressing lever 'te move itinto pressing juxtaposition with said buck. In the embodiment shown, however. I preferablj employ for thispurpos'e a p'ivcted fluid aotuated cylinder "54 -pivotallymounted on the front of the frame having-the piston '56 reciprocabl therein to actuate suitable linkage 58 pivotally connected to the power arm 60 of said pressing lever, in the embodiment shown, being specifically connected to a portion of the adjusting means 46 thereof. While any suitable type of linkage may be employed, I preferably employ the type of linkageshown and claimed in the copending application for patent of Frank C. Lornitzo for Safety control for pressing machines, Patent No.

2,382,322, dated August 14, 1945, although any type'oflinkage may be employed. This specific type of linkage, however, quickly brings the pressing head '40 into pressing juxtaposition with the buck 38 during the initial even stroke of the piston 56 and then with the relatively short movement of the pressing head supplies an optimum amount of pressure to the pressing buck 38 during the continuation of the even stroke of the piston 56 in the cylinder 54. With this construction the linkage 58 is connected to the adjusting means 46 mounted on the power arm 60 of said pressing lever 50.

In the embodiment shown, a suitable type of disengaging spring means 42 is also positively connected to said pressing lever, in this instance, to another portion of the adjusting means 46 mounted on the power arm '60 of said pressing lever. Said spring disengaging mechanism 42 is so connected as to normally move said pressing head 40 away from said buck 38 by lowering the power arm 60 of said pressing lever, the pressing head 40 being suitably mounted on the work arm f said pressing lever in the usual manner, and a compression spring 64 is employed as the actuating spring means thereof. The adjusting means 46 for shifting the point of connection of said actuating means 4| to said lpressing lever to adjust the pressing space between the pressing head 40 and buck 38 is also preferably mounted on the power arm 60 of said lever in a manner to be readily adjusted with the spring means 64 of the disengaging spring mechanism 42 continuously functioning against said adjusting means 46 so that said spring means 64 will also function to take up any backlash in said adjusting means 46. In the embodiment shown, said adjusting means 46 includes an adjusting member 66 pivotally 'mounted on a longitudinal pivot pin 68 suitably mounted on said power arm 60, for movement relative to said power arm having an arm 10 containing the pivotal connection 48 for pivotally securing said actuating means 4i thereto to rotate said member 86 in one direction to raise said pressing lever power arm, a counterbalancing arm 12 and a crank arm 14. The spring disengagingmechanism 42 acts upon said counterbalancing arm 72 in the manner to be explained to rotate said member 66 to lower said pressing lever power arm. I also provide manually actuated axially movable means 16 mounted on and threadedly connected to said pressing lever 50 to move axially thereof operated by the operating handle 18 and I provide a connecting rod connecting said adjustable member crank arm 14 to said axially movable means 16, whereby axial adjustment 'of said manually actuated means 16 may adjustably rotate said adjusting member 66 against the pressure of said spring means 64 to vary the point of connection 48 of said actuating means 4| to said pressing lever power arm iii).

The axially movable adjustable means 16 is substantially identical tothe means shown for the same purpose in my prior patent for Garment pressing machine, No. 2 026.264, issued December 131, 1935, modified, however, in the following manher: The pressing lever 50 of the power arm is provided with a plate 82 projecting vertically thereof when in closed position substantially above the pivot point 52 thereof. A guide bearing 84 is secured in any suitable fashion to the rear surface of said plate 32, in the embodiment shown, being integral therewith. Said plate is also provided with the boss 86 projecting integrally forwardly thereof. A bore 88 is provided in said integral plate 82 and guide bearing 84 and a bore 9| of smaller diameter is provided in said forwardly projecting boss 86. The handle rod 92 extends through said bore 9I and has an enlargement 94 for seating against the front end of said bore 3% and terminates in an externally threaded rear end 96. The axial movable member 16 comprises a hollow adjusting nut It having an internally threaded periphery 9'! engageable with the outer threaded periphery 95 of the handle 92 so as to be axially slidable within said bore 88 on rotation of said handle rod 92. The front end of the connecting rod 80 is pivotally connected to the rear end of the nut 56 by the pivot pin 98, the rear end of said connecting rod 80 being pivotally connected to the end of the crank arm 74 by the pivot pin I00. If desired, a pair of connecting rods or links 80 may be provided for each side of the axially slidable nut or member 16 and the rear end of the crank arm I4. As shown in said patent, the handle rod 02 is broken into a front portion I 02 and the rear portion I04 having an external periphery 95 hitherto described and said parts of the handle are connected together by the universal connection we of the general type shown in said patent.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a bar I03 extends horizontally across a front end of said pressing lever 50 having an arcuate portion III) centrally thereof provided with spaced locking depressions I 52 on the rear surface of the upper end thereof. The front portion I02 of the operating handle rod 92 is provided with a suitable spring actuated latch I I4 comprising a spring I I6 contained within a suitable housing I IS on said front portion I02 tilting the upper end I20 of the latch II4 so that the projection I22 projecting forwardly from the lower end thereof may be engaged underneath said wall III! when the notch I24 on the lower surface of said housing II3 has sunk into a selected depression II 2. my invention is that the handle 92 for the axially movable adjustable means 75 is provided with a universal joint I06 in front of its threaded connection 0B and 9'! to said axially movable member 15 and the front portion I02 of said handle carrying the turning handle 13 is tiltable to a plurality of angular positions on said power arm. It is thus obvious that by unlatching the latch II4 by pressing on the arm I20 thereof the projection I22 thereof is released from engagement with the lower surface of said arcuate wall I I0 so that said portion I02 may be readily lifted free of said wall on said universal joint I06 and swiveled laterally on the universal joint I08 so that it may be locked in a different position thereon as shown in Fig. 5.

As stated hitherto, if desired, the disengaging spring mechanism 42 may be employed independently of any adjusting means 46 and my invention relates to improvements in the disengaging spring mechanism itself, whether or not it be employed in association with any adjusting means 45. While, in the embodiment shown, I have employed a pair of identical disengaging spring mechanisms 42, one connected to each side of the As stated, one feature of power arm 60 of said pressing lever and anchored to a respective side wall 32 of the frame for use in association with the specific adjusting mechanism shown herein, it is obvious that either one or a pair of the specific mechanisms shown may be employed directly connected to the power arm of the pressing lever for normally tilting the pressing lever to move the pressing head away from said buck if the adjusting mechanism be not employed.

In the embodiment shown, said mechanism includes a rod I pivotally connected to the pressing lever as at I32 to move therewith, bearing means I 34 including a plate I36 for mounting said rod I30 on said frame for reciprocating movement and for oscillating movement in a single transverse plane parallel to the plane of movement of the pressing lever, adjusting means 44 adjustably mounted on the lower end of said rod I30 and the adjusting counter-balancing spring 64 having one end thereof abutting said adjusting means 44 and the other end abutting said plate I30.

Inasmuch as the adjusting means I38 for varying the tension of the spring 64 is the same in both embodiments shown it will now be described. A suitable latching ring I38 is provided having a suitable inner surface I40 for. abutment of the lower end of the spring 64 thereagainst and is slidably mounted on the outer end of said rod I30, said rod I30 having an externally threaded portion I42 beyond said slidable latching ring I30. A nut I44 is threadedly adjustable on said threaded lower end I42 of said rod I30 and interengageable male and female adjusting means are provided so that the nut may be turned independently of the friction of the tension spring 34 against the surface I40 of said latching ring I 38. I have found from experience that in pressing machines to suitably lower the power arm of the pressing lever, it is necessary to provide a compression spring 54 of such strength that it is almost impossible to vary the tension thereof by a simple nut threaded on the lower end of the rod I30 and it is for this purpose that I interpose the latching ring I38 between said nut I44 and outer end of said spring 64. In order, however, that the adjustment of tension of the spring may be still easier, I preferably interpose an independently axially slidable latching washer I46 between said latching ring I38 and nut I44 and construct said latching washer I40 so that it may be readily rotated by said nut and I interpose additional spring means I43 between said latching washer I46 and nut I44 to cause engagement of said male means with said female means, the spring I48 thus axially moving said latching washer for interengagement of said male and female latching means but bein so light that it may readily yield to permit facile rotation of said nut to urge said latching washer I46 and latching ring I 38 axially of said rod I30 without rotation of the lower end of the spring 64 against the surface I40 of said latching ring I38. In the embodiment shown, the latching ring I38 is provided with the exterior annular inner surface I40 and the hub portion I50 projecting axially inwardly thereof to more accurately align the lower end of the spring relative to said rod I30. The outer sur-" face of said latching ring I38 is provided with the diametrically spaced female latching recesses I 52 thereon. While I have shown said recesses I52 diametrically spaced, it is obvious that they may be spaced any suitable desired amount.

and I58 on the inner surface thereof.

The nut I44 may be provided with the spaced -projections I54 projecting outwardly therefrom for ease of gripping thereof between the fingers and a shown in Fig. 15, said nut I44 is prefer- 'ably provided with a plurality of hole means I56 In the embodiment shown, certain of said hole means I56 are diametrically spaced while other of said hole means I58 may be spaced intermediate said diametrically spaced hole means I56. The independently slidable latching washer I46 is provided with the prongs I60 projecting axially outwardly therefrom diametrically thereof adapted to register in said hole means I56 to be axially aligned with and axially movable relative thereto to cause rotation of said latching washer I46 on rotation of said nut I44. The spring means I48 is provided in the other of said hole means I58 to axially urge said latching washer I46 inwardly. The inner surface of said latching washer is provided with the cooperating diametric latching mounds I62 adapted to register within the diametric latching recesses I52 on the lower surface of said latching ring I 38 on each half rotation of said nut I44 and-latching washer I46. It is thus obvious that the latching washer I46 is gently urged axially inwardly by the light spring N8 of sufficient torsion to keep the latchlngmound I62 in register with the latching recesses I52 at all times. The torsion of the spring .148, :however, is so relatively light that on the turning torque which may be readily exerted on the nut I44 by the fingers it will axially yield to .permit a half revolution 'of the nut I44, the mounds I62 slipping out of the recesses 052 readily on the turning of the nut to compel inward axial movement of said latching ring I38 and consequent compression of the spring 64 resulting on clockwise rotation and hence inward axial movement of said nut 144, and outward axial movement of said latching ring I38 by said spring 64 and consequent release of compression of the spring 64 resulting on counter-clockwise rotation and hence outward axial movement of said nut I44. sired the relative positions of the male mounds I62 and female recesses I52 on the ad'iacent surfaces of the latching ring and latching washer may be reversed if desired. It isobvious that all adjustment is independent of the friction of the lower end of the spring '64 against the latching ring I38, whether or not the latching washer I46 be supplementally employed, the use of the latching washer, however, permitting a more facile adjustment-of the compression spring 64.

It is obvious that as the compression spring 64 is compressed'to store up-en'ergy, even if it should break it will continue to hold the press open, whereas if the tension springs of the prior art break, they immediately let the pressing head 40 :down and have caused accidents.

As stated hitherto, the bearing meansfor *mounting the rod *I38on a stationary side wall 32 In'the preferred ing sleeve I12.

it buckle and break.

'0 said bearing means is-preferably constructed -a's follows: The base I66 comprises a shaft I66 having a cylindrical outer end projecting SlibSi/all-ftially at right angles from a frame side wall-32 and secured thereto in any suitable manneiysuch as by the sleeve I14 shown in Fig. 12 rigidly soldered to a side wall 32 of said frame and having a lock screw I16 having the end thereof registering in a circumferential channel I11 in said shaft I66 rigidly securing said shaft I66 to said sleeve. The shaft I66 is provided with the generally vertical hole I18 therein preferably centrally constricted as at I80. As shown, the central constriction I may be provided by "providing the hole with the central portion :80 "of smaller diameter than the respective ends of the hole and the frustoconical portions I82 flaring outwardly from said constricted central portion I60 to the ends of said hole. For lubricating purposes, if desired, a central conduit I84 may be provided extending axially outwardly from the constricted portion I80 of said hole and having a suitable Zerk I86 fitting on the inner-end thereof. The rod I30 is adapted to be held against substantial lateral movement by the constricted portion I80 of said central hole I18, yet permitted an oscillating or tilting movement therein by the frusto-conical portions I82 of said hole I18. To suitably mount said rod I30 for reciprocative movement and oscillating movement on the inner end of said shaft I66 I provide a suitable bearing sleeve I12 embracing said reciprocating rod I36, in the embodiment shown, for a substantial distance above and below said shaft having the central lubricant containing chamber portion I88 of larger diameter than said rod I30. Said bearing sleeve I12 is provided with a hollow hub portion I90 oscillatably mounted on the inner end of said stationary shaft I66 so that said reciprocating rod I30 may extend through said hole I18 in said shaft and freely oscillate on said shaft While reciprocating within said bearing sleeve I12. It is obvious that the Zerk fitting 86 comprises means for inserting lubricant through said axle shaft conduit I84 to within said lubricant containing chamber I8'8 insaid bearing sleeve I12. It is obvious that the upper or inner end of the spring 64 mayabut the outer 'or lower surface of said plate I 36. said plate I36 comprising a flatannular surface on the lower surface of said hub I90 exterior 'of said bear- It is thus obvious that with this construction the outer surface of the plate I36 is always parallel with the innerannular surf-ace I40 of the latching ring I38, thereby applying an even compression on the ends of the spring '64 at all times, and eliminating any angular strain on the spring which would tend to make As stated, however, the improved type of disengaging spring mechanism '42 shown, is adapted to be employed in association with the adjusting means 46 so that the spring 64 thereof may supplementally function to take up the backlash in said adjusting means 46, in which case said disengaging spring mechanism each floating lever I94 comprises a bell crank lever having a long arm I98 adapted to register in said notch I92 and a short arm 200 projecting from the opposite side thereof at a relatively small acute angle to the diametric extension of said long arm I98. Said short arm 20!) is pivotally connected to the power arm 60 in any suitable manner, such as by the link 2B2 pivotally connected to said short arm 239 by the pivot pin 266 and pivotally connected to the bearing portion 84 of said power arm by the pivot pin Ell s. The upper end of each respective rod I30 is pivotally connected to the pivot points of each respective lever, in the embodiment shown, in the following manner: As shown in Fig. 9 each respective lever 94 is provided with a hub portion 2H], the central portions of which may be integrally joined together, as shown in Fig. 9. In addition, the short arms 200 thereof may be additionally integrally joined together in the manner shown. A composite shaft 208 comprises the two portions 212 and 2M extending through said integral hub portion 'ZIB. The end of each respective shaft portion iii? and 2M is enlarged as at 2 l5 and is provided with a vertical hole 258 extending vertically therethrough through which the upper end of the rod I33 extends. A saddle 22B for the upper end of each rod 538 is supplementally provided having a threaded hole 222 centrally thereof to receive the threaded. upper end of the rod I35]. After it projects upwardly above its respective hole 218 the saddle 22c may be supplementally secured to said threaded upper end by the locking pin 224 extending therethrough. The composite rod 208 is provided with a female socket portion 225 at the inner end of the portion 2i2 thereof and a threaded male portion 228 'attheend of the opposite portion 2! thereof, said portions being threadedly secured together before the upper ends of the rods I30 having been mounted on the enlarged ends 2| 6 of said composite rod 203 and secured to their respective saddles 220. As shown in Figs. 8 and 10 the respective positions of the floating levers i94 may be reversed if desired so that the short arm 289 thereof may project at an acute angle in the opposite direction to provide a smaller leverage with the same spring should it be desired to substitute a pressing head "iii of less weight.

It is apparent therefore that I have provided the novel improvements in adjusting means for garment pressing machines with the advantages described above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made without de parting from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a garment pressing machine, a frame, a stationary pressing buck mounted on said frame, a pressing lever having a work arm and a power arm and a pressing head on the work arm thereof, pivotally mounted on said frame intermediate the ends thereof to bring said pressing head into and away from pressing juxtaposition with said buck, actuating means for raising the pressing lever power arm, an adjusting member pivotally mounted on the power arm of said pressing lever having an arm connected to said actuating means on one side of the pivot point of said adjusting member to rotate said member to raise said pressing lever power arm and having a counterbalancing arm and a crank arm, spring means acting upon said counterbalancing arm on the opposite side of the pivot point of said adjusting member to rotate said member to lower said pressing lever power arm, manually actuated means mounted on said pressing lever to move axially thereof, a connecting rod connecting said adjusting member crank arm and said axially movable means, whereby said actuating means may raise said power arm, and said spring means may lower said power arm, and axial adjustment of said manually actuated means may adjustably rotate said adjusting member against the pressure of said spring means to vary the effective point of connection of said actuating means to said pressing lever power arm.

2. In a garment pressing machine, a frame having side walls, a stationary pressing buck mounted on said frame, a pressing lever having a pressing head on the work arm thereof pivotally mounted on a longitudinal axis on said frame intermediate the ends thereof to bring said pressing head into and away from pressing juxtaposition with said buck, actuating means for raising the pressing lever power arm, an adjusting member pivotally mounted horizontally of the power arm of said pressing lever having an arm connected to said actuating means to rotate said member to raise said pressing lever power arm, a counterbalancing arm and a, crank arm, said counterbalancing arm extending a substantial distance between the side walls of said frame and having a notch therein, a floating lever for each side of said power arm having one arm thereof registering in an end of said notch, a link pivotally connecting the other arm of each floating lever to one side of said pressing lever power arm, a floating pivot rod joining the floating levers on each side together, spring means for each floating lever having one end thereof operatively connected to the pivot rod thereof and the other end thereof operatively anchored to a side wall of said frame, whereby said spring means may act upon said counterbalancing arm to rotate said member to lower said pressing lever power arm, manually actuated means mounted on said pressing lever to move axially thereof, and a connecting rod connecting said adjusting member crank arm and said axially movable means, whereby said actuating means may raise said power arm, and axial adjustment of said manually actuated means may adjustably rotate said adjusting member against the pressure of said spring means to vary the effective point of connection of said actuating means to said pressing lever power arm.

3. In a garment pressing machine, a, frame, a stationary pressing buck mounted on said frame, a pressing lever having a pressing head on the work arm thereof pivotally mounted on said frame intermediate the ends thereof to bring said pressing head into and away from pressing juxtaposition with said buck, actuating means for raising the pressing lever power arm, an adjusting member pivotally mounted on the power arm of said pressing lever having an arm connected to said actuating means to rotate said member to move said pressing lever power arm, a counterbalancing arm and a crank arm, spring means acting upon said counterbalancing arm to rotate said member to lower said pressing lever power arm, manually actuated means mounted on said pressing lever to move axially thereof, a connecting rod connecting said adjusting member crank arm and said axially movable means, whereby said actuating means may raise said power arm, and said spring means may lower said power arm, and axial adjustment of said manually actuated means may adjustably rotate saidadjustingv member against the pressure of said spring meansto vary the effective point of connection of said actuating means to said pressing lever power arm, a. front.- handle member for actuating said axially movable adjusting means threadedly connected thereto and having a universal joint in front of said threaded connection whereby said front handle portion may be selectively tilted tov a plurality of angular positions on said power-armand means to lock said handle memberin a. selected position.

4. In a garment pressing; machine, a frame, a stationary pressing buck mounted on said frame, a pressing lever having a pressing head on the work, arm thereof pivotally mounted on said frame intermediate the ends thereof to bring said pressing head into and away from pressing juxtaposition with said buck, actuating means for raising the pressing lever power arm, an adjusting member pivotally mounted on the power arm of said pressing lever having an arm connected to said actuating means. to rotate said member to raise saidpressing lever power arm, a counterbalancing arm and a crank arm, spring means acting upon said count erbalancing arm to rotate said memberto. lower said pressing lever power arm, manually actuated means mounted on said pressing lever to move axially thereof, a connecting; rodconnecting said adjusting member crank arm and said axially movable means, whereby said actuating means may raisesaid power arm, and said spring means may lower said power arm, and axial adjustment of said manually actuated means may adjustably rotate said adjusting member against the pressure of said spring means to vary the effective point of connection of said actuating means to said pressing lever power arm, and a front handle member for actuating said axially movable adjusting means threadedly connected thereto. and having a'universal joint in front of said threaded connection whereby said front handle portion may be selectively tilted to a plurality of angular positions on said power arm.

5. In a garment pressing machine, relatively movable pressing members, actuating means operatively connected to one of said members for moving said member intopressing juxtaposition with said other member, adjusting means including a pivotable portion on said movable. member for shifting the point of connection of said actuatingmeans to,,said movable member to adjust the final pressing space between said pressing members. said pivotal portion being. connected to said actuatingmeans on one side of its pivot,

pr nslmeansconnected to a.- n l n. sa d ek me it: me n ma hi e andt said; ivota D91: ime said d us i m ansn theoppositeside s. ivot to v a d; mo able mem erawan from; pressin juxtaposition with said other meme erand qcon i nslr f nc i n tot e p am: backlashin said adjustingmeans; and adjusta ble means, abutting. said spring means for vary-.. ing; the, tension exerted thereby .retained by said; spring.- meansin adjusted position thereon.

6. In, a, garment pressing machine, relatively. movable, pressing members, actuating means. operativelyconnected to. one of said members for moving said member into pressing juxtaposition with said other member, adjusting means includ-. ing a .pivotable portion on said movable memberfor shiftinglthe point. of: connection ofsaid actu-, atingimeans to said movable member to adjust. thefinal'pressing space between said pressing members said pivotal portion being connected .to. said actuating means on oneside of its pivot and springmeansconnected to a point on said garment pressing machine and to said pivotal por-t tion of said adjusting means on the opposite side of-its pivotto move-said movable member away from pressing juxtaposition with said other member and to continuously function to take up any backlash in said adjusting means.

HERBERT G. BEEDE;

REFERENCES; CITED The following references are of record in the.

file of. this patent:

UNITED. STATES; PATENTS Number Name Date 876,717 Johnson Jan. 14, 1908' 964,651 Kirk July 19,1910

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